The Starknet community supported research into an independent, quantum-resistant layer-one blockchain: following a seven-day governance vote, the proposal was backed by 93.52% of voting participants.
According to the official governance proposal, the non-binding vote ended on October 22, gathering around 3200 votes, giving StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation community support to explore the proposed exit from Ethereum.
The results represent the community's first official response to StarkWare's October 8 proposal to explore whether Starknet should function as a standalone blockchain.
StarkWare said the vote saw the highest turnout in the network's governance history. The company abstained from voting, leaving STRK holders and participating delegates to decide whether the research should continue.
The poll offered three response options: support further research, oppose it, or remain neutral until more information becomes available. Approval allows developers to prepare technical proposals for further consideration.
As reported at the start of the vote, the initial ballot clearly distinguished between supporting research and approving an actual migration.
Starknet continues to operate as an Ethereum layer-two network, using its own transaction processing infrastructure while relying on Ethereum for settlement and data availability.
Any decision to create a standalone network would require a different governance process. The proposal contains no mandatory migration timeline, final architecture, or instructions for users on transferring their assets.
Ethereum dependencies underpin the post-quantum concept
Security concerns prompted StarkWare to explore a different network structure. Although Starknet already uses hash-based STARK proofs, other components still depend on cryptographic systems supported by Ethereum.
In its post-quantum security roadmap, StarkWare identified the Ethereum bridge messaging infrastructure and blob-based data availability as the two remaining dependencies.
Ethereum uses KZG commitments for blob processing, and some bridge-related functions rely on elliptic curve cryptography. StarkWare considers these systems vulnerable to sufficiently powerful future quantum computers.
An independent blockchain could give Starknet greater control over security updates, eliminating the need to follow Ethereum's schedule for certain components.
However, independence would bring other requirements. Starknet would need to develop a mechanism for ensuring consensus, maintaining data availability, and protecting transactions with validators without relying on Ethereum's existing infrastructure.
Community discussions raised questions about validator responsibilities, censorship resistance, and the economic security provided by STRK staking. A complete alternative security model has not yet been published.
StarkWare prepares a November analytical report on a possible transition
Following the positive vote, StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation created a working group to assess the technical and operational requirements for an independent blockchain.
A draft analytical paper is planned for publication in November, providing an opportunity to study the proposed architecture before any binding decision is made.
Discussion on the governance forum confirms that STRK will remain the network's native cryptocurrency under any of the proposed options. The proposal does not involve replacing the token.
Existing bridges connecting Starknet and Ethereum are expected to remain accessible, although the team has not published detailed instructions for maintaining these connections within a standalone architecture.
StarkWare has set itself the goal of making Starknet quantum-resistant by 2027. The existing work plan divides the task into three stages covering new directions, legacy smart contracts, and infrastructure dependent on Ethereum.
In the first stage, some Pedersen hashing components are replaced with BLAKE2-based alternatives. The second stage addresses the storage and migration of existing contracts.
The third stage focuses on infrastructure that currently depends on Ethereum's cryptographic updates, including bridge messaging and data availability.
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